As the three stood atop the altar, the transformation complete, Pine City was abuzz with celebration. The red light balls, though diminished, continued to drizzle gently over the city, blessing its inhabitants and bringing joy that hadn't been felt in years.
For this brief moment, it was as if all the trials, sacrifices, and battles had led to this one triumphant spectacle. The people of Pine City gazed up at their champions, hearts filled with pride and awe, for they had witnessed the rise of three Purified Lords, each one destined to carve their mark on history.
As the three newly crowned Purified Lords stood atop the altar, their powerful auras intertwined, sizing each other up, the vein's core suddenly erupted with a blinding light. The intensity of the light was overwhelming, washing over the entire chamber and spilling out through the open cavern, illuminating everything in an ethereal glow that seemed to stretch to the heavens.
Within the dazzling brilliance, a small, ornate box began to form. The box was carved from a single piece of crystal, its surface intricately detailed with ancient runes that glowed faintly, as if whispering secrets from ages long past.
The edges were lined with gold, shimmering like threads of sunlight, and the box seemed to pulse in time with the core's heartbeat, radiating an aura of both power and delicate fragility. It floated gracefully in the air, suspended by an unseen force, and drifted towards Yan Jin as if acknowledging his presence and authority.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath as the box slowly descended into Yan Jin's waiting palm, settling there with an almost reverent weight. He could feel the energy humming from within, a soft yet potent vibration that made his fingertips tingle.
The box was warm to the touch, almost alive, and as Yan Jin ran his fingers over the ancient runes, they glowed brighter, resonating with his own aura.
Yan Jin carefully opened the box, the lid lifting with a soft, almost musical chime. Inside, resting on a bed of soft, luminous silk, was a tiny gem no larger than a grain of rice, yet it glowed with an intensity that belied its size. A warm, nurturing aura spread from the gem, washing over the room like the first light of dawn.
It was an energy that felt both ancient and boundless, carrying with it the promise of life and creation.
The moment the gem was revealed, Wei Xi and Yan Bai's eyes widened in shock and envy.
"Stem cell!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices a mix of awe and disbelief. The envy in their gazes was unmistakable; the treasure before them was the stuff of legends, a priceless artifact that could elevate one's power to unfathomable heights.
Among the crowd, a ripple of speculation erupted, fueled by a mix of awe and greed.
"Oh my god, is that really a stem cell?" a voice gasped, barely able to contain their excitement.
"This thing is too valuable," another murmured, eyes locked onto the tiny gem that held more potential than a lifetime of cultivation treasures.
Nie Li, watching from a distance, could feel his blood boiling with envy. His eyes darkened, and his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "This isn't something a bastard like him should be holding," he muttered under his breath, venom lacing his words. The sight of Yan Jin with such a treasure stirred a primal rage within him, a sense of injustice that gnawed at his insides.
Purple Meng and the City Lord exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions laced with concern and a hint of dread.
Meanwhile, the City Lord's gaze hardened as he assessed the situation. He could see the greed in Nie Li's eyes, the dangerous ambition that threatened to engulf the entire city. He would not allow this treasure to be stolen, not while he still drew breath. "You cannot rob the treasure of Pine City, Nie Li.
Don't think we are afraid of your master," the City Lord declared, his voice carrying the weight of authority and the power of his position. He gestured subtly to Wei Xi, signaling him to move closer.
Wei Xi, understanding the unspoken command, stepped backward, his own aura flaring in response.
The room was a powder keg, with powerful auras clashing and intertwining, each side waiting for the first spark that would ignite the conflict. The tension was so thick it was almost suffocating, the anticipation of violence hanging in the air like a storm about to break.
The atmosphere inside the core room grew heavier as more people arrived, each side clearly defined and rallying around their leaders. Tensions escalated, and the room was filled with the hum of clashing energies, the ground trembling as conflicting auras pressed against each other like tidal waves.
Yan Jin stood at the center, an island of calm amidst the storm, holding the coveted stem cell that everyone desired.
Nie Li, unable to contain his frustration, stepped forward. His spear crackled with golden energy, ready to strike at a moment's notice. His voice boomed through the chamber, filled with venom and barely contained rage. "Yan Jin, give me the stem cell, and I promise not to kill you."
Across the room, Purple Spear Meng's deep voice cut through the tension like a knife. "Don't listen to him! This is the treasure of Pine City. Come over here, and I will protect you!" He stood tall, his amethyst armor glistening ominously, his spear pointed toward Nie Li in defiance.
Yan Jin tuned his head, between the two sides with an amused smile playing on his lips. He laughed, his voice echoing in the cavernous room, loud and mocking. "The treasure of Pine City? Silly old man, it belongs to me!" His words were filled with absolute certainty, a declaration of his unshakable will. He then turned his gaze to the shadows lingering in the room, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Old witch, since you're also here, why don't you show yourself?"
Suddenly, smoke began to rise from the ground, curling around like black serpents. Figures draped in black cloaks emerged, their steps eerily silent as if they were corpses being animated by some dark force. Corrupted energy radiated from each of them, a twisted, oppressive aura that made the air feel thick and poisonous.
At the head of this group stood Matriarch Fu, her withered form propped up by a gnarled staff, her presence no less commanding than Nie Li or Purple Spear Meng.
The room seemed to darken as she stepped forward, her gaze piercing through the gathered crowd with cold, calculating malice. The corrupted warriors flanked her, their eyes hollow and their movements unnaturally synchronized, like puppets on invisible strings.
Nie Li's face twisted in a mix of anger and disgust. The presence of Matriarch Fu and her entourage of corrupted beings was a game-changer that completely shifted the balance of power. The odds that were once tilted slightly in his favor were now thrown into chaos. "Bloodwitch scum!" he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You have no place here!"
Purple Spear Meng's expression was no less grim, his grip on his weapon tightening as he assessed the new threat. The room, once filled with two opposing forces, had now become a three-way battlefield, with each side vying for dominance.
Matriarch Fu, unfazed by the hostile stares, turned her sharp, cold eyes toward Yan Jin. A smirk crept onto her ancient, wrinkled face as she regarded the young man who had seen through her schemes. "How did you know?" she asked, her voice raspy yet filled with a dangerous curiosity, as if she was both impressed and intrigued by Yan Jin's perceptiveness.
Yan Jin's smirk widened, his expression radiating a mix of arrogance and confidence that seemed almost unbreakable. "Did you think your corrupted stench could go unnoticed?" he taunted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Your rotting energy reeks worse than death itself. I could smell you from a mile away."